How Does Trauma Affect the Brain?

Summary

This video explores the profound effects trauma has on the brain and body, explaining the neuroscience behind trauma responses. It highlights how the nervous system deals with threats through three stages: social engagement, fight or flight, and freeze or collapse. Trauma can lead to lasting changes in mental, emotional, and physical health, often causing PTSD and triggering physical symptoms. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma, as well as the need for trauma-informed treatment that engages both mind and body. By recognizing these responses, individuals can begin to heal and regain control over their lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 Trauma is not just an event, but also a lasting mark left on the mind, brain, and body.
• 😀 The brain has three stages of responding to threats: social engagement, fight or flight, and freeze or collapse.
• 😀 Social engagement is the first response to threat, where you seek help and comfort from others.
• 😀 When social engagement fails, fight or flight kicks in, where you either fight back or escape the threat.
• 😀 If fight or flight fail, the body enters a freeze or collapse response, which is often seen in repeated trauma or abuse.
• 😀 Complex PTSD (CPTSD) occurs from repeated, unresolved trauma, especially in childhood or from trusted figures.
• 😀 The freeze response can lead to dissociation, where individuals disconnect from people, places, or experiences.
• 😀 Trauma changes how the nervous system reacts, with responses that might feel disconnected from the present moment.
• 😀 The lasting effects of trauma can lead to chronic health issues, including autoimmune diseases, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue.
• 😀 PTSD triggers, like a smell or sound, can flood the body with stress hormones, creating a physical reaction that is often invisible to others.

Q & A

How does trauma affect the brain?

Trauma affects the brain by activating the body's stress response system, which can lead to long-lasting changes in how the brain processes threats, emotional regulation, and memory. These changes may manifest as physical, emotional, and mental symptoms, including hypervigilance, dissociation, and emotional dysregulation.

Why do people feel like they are 'crazy' after experiencing trauma?

After trauma, people often feel confused and disconnected because their brain's response system is overwhelmed, making it hard to understand why they feel the way they do. This feeling is exacerbated by internalized guilt or shame, which can lead to self-blame or suicidal ideation.

What are the three stages of the nervous system’s response to threats?

The three stages are social engagement (seeking help or comfort), fight or flight (responding to immediate danger by fighting or fleeing), and freeze or collapse (shutting down and conserving energy when escape is not possible).

What is CPTSD and how is it different from regular PTSD?

CPTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is the result of repeated trauma, often from a caregiver or someone in a position of trust, where the individual is unable to escape or protect themselves. It differs from regular PTSD, which can result from a single traumatic event.

What happens to the body during the freeze response to trauma?

During the freeze response, the body shuts down physically and emotionally to conserve energy. This can cause heart rate to drop, shallow breathing, digestive issues, and a numbing of awareness, including a lack of sensitivity to pain.

How does trauma manifest physically in the body?

Trauma can manifest physically through symptoms like digestive problems, fatigue, autoimmune diseases, and muscle pain, as well as chronic conditions like fibromyalgia. The prolonged activation of stress hormones can lead to damage in various systems of the body.

How does the brain react to trauma triggers?

When a person experiences a trauma trigger, the brain reacts as if the traumatic event is happening in the present. The right brain, which processes emotions, becomes highly active, while the left brain, responsible for rational thinking, becomes less effective, making the person feel as though they are reliving the trauma.

Why is it difficult for trauma survivors to explain their experience to others?

Trauma survivors may struggle to explain their experiences because the physical and hormonal responses to trauma can remain active, making it hard to put feelings and sensations into words. This disconnection from their rational thoughts can leave them feeling misunderstood by others.

What role does understanding trauma play in the healing process?

Understanding trauma is crucial because it helps individuals recognize their responses as normal and not a sign of personal weakness. This understanding can foster self-compassion, facilitate communication with loved ones, and promote healing by normalizing fear and uncertainty.

What is the significance of community support in healing from trauma?

Community support plays a vital role in healing from trauma by providing a safe space for survivors to be understood and accepted. This support helps counter feelings of isolation and strengthens the individual's ability to heal by offering empathy and connection.